Navigation device and method of activating information on a navigation device

ABSTRACT

A method and device are disclosed for activating information on a navigation device. In one embodiment, the method includes prompting selection of information for receipt from a remote server, connected to the navigation device via an internet connection; requesting, upon selected information requiring activation, input of further information before activating the selected information; and activating the selected information on the navigation device upon receipt of the requested information to activate. In one embodiment, the navigation device includes an integrated input and display device to prompt selection of information for receipt from a remote server, connected to the navigation device via an internet connection. The integrated input and display device is further used to request, upon selected information requiring activation, input of further information before activating the selected information. Finally, a processor is included to activate the selected information on the navigation device, upon receipt of the requested information to activate.

CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS

The following applications are being filed concurrently with the presentapplications. The entire contents of each of the following applicationsis hereby incorporated herein by reference: A NAVIGATION DEVICE ANDMETHOD FOR STORING AND UTILIZING A LAST DOCKED LOCATION (Attorney docketnumber 06P057US16) filed on even date herewith; A METHOD AND DEVICE FORUTILIZING A SELECTABLE LOCATION MARKER FOR RELATIONAL DISPLAY OF POINTOF INTEREST ENTRIES (Attorney docket number 06P057US15) filed on evendate herewith; A METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAP SWITCHING (Attorney docketnumber 06P057US14) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE ANDMETHOD FOR CONVEYING INFORMATION RELATIONSHIPS (Attorney docket number06P057US20) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHODOF UPDATING INFORMATION ON A NAVIGATION DEVICE (Attorney docket number06P057US18) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE, SERVER,AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING THEREBETWEEN (Attorney docket number06P057US17) filed on even date herewith; A METHOD AND DEVICE FORPROVIDING PREFERENCES DURING ROUTE TRAVEL CALCULATION ON A NAVIGATIONDEVICE (Attorney docket number 06P057US13) filed on even date herewith;AUTOMATIC DISCOVERY OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SETTINGS (Attorney docketnumber 06P057US04) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE ANDMETHOD OF IMPLEMENTING AUDIO FEATURES IN A NAVIGATION DEVICE (Attorneydocket number 06P057US21) filed on even date herewith; METHODS OFCUSTOMIZING NAVIGATION SYSTEMS (Attorney docket number 06P057US03) filedon even date herewith; and A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEQUENTIALMAP DISPLAY (Attorney docket number 06P057US22) filed on even dateherewith.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 oneach of Great Britain Patent Application numbers 0604709.6 filed Mar. 8,2006; 0604708.8 filed Mar. 8, 2006; 0604710.4 filed Mar. 8, 2006;0604704.7 filed Mar. 8, 2006; and 0604706.2 filed Mar. 8, 2006, theentire contents of each of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD

The present application generally relates to navigation methods anddevices.

BACKGROUND

In known navigation systems, travel routes are determined based upon aninput travel destination and a current location of the navigationdevice, the current location being obtained through GPS triangulationfor example. While the travel route can easily be obtained based uponmap information stored in the memory of the navigation device, updatingthis information map can be time consuming and can also incur problemsas information stored in the memory of the navigation device is notalways the most current or up to date information. In known systems, auser typically has to order updated map information and then install theupdated map information on his navigation device, via input of a new CDcontaining the map information for example.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, a method is for activating information on anavigation device. The method includes prompting selection ofinformation for receipt from a remote server, connected to thenavigation device via an internet connection; requesting, upon selectedinformation requiring activation, input of further information beforeactivating the selected information; and activating the selectedinformation on the navigation device upon receipt of the requestedinformation to activate.

In at least one other embodiment, a navigation device includes anintegrated input and display device to prompt selection of informationfor receipt from a remote server, connected to the navigation device viaan internet connection. The integrated input and display device isfurther used to request, upon selected information requiring activation,input of further information before activating the selected information.Finally, a processor is included to activate the selected information onthe navigation device, upon receipt of the requested information toactivate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present application will be described in more detail below by usingexample embodiments, which will be explained with the aid of thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning System (GPS);

FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic components ofa navigation device of an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server, navigationdevice and connection therebetween of an embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a selectable menu display;

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a display requesting activation of aselection;

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a display requesting product codeentry;

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a display of a virtual keyboard forinput;

FIG. 8 illustrates an example of a display indicating successfulactivation;

FIG. 9 illustrates an example of a display of a device code;

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a display of a virtual keyboard forinput;

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a selectable menu display;

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a of a selectable city menu display;

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of a display for a free purchase;

FIG. 14 illustrates an example of a display for a purchase for payment;and

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a display indicating successfulactivation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the presentinvention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specifythe presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

In describing example embodiments illustrated in the drawings, specificterminology is employed for the sake of clarity. However, the disclosureof this patent specification is not intended to be limited to thespecific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that eachspecific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in asimilar manner.

Referencing the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, exampleembodiments of the present patent application are hereafter described.Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of Global Positioning System (GPS),usable by navigation devices, including the navigation device ofembodiments of the present application. Such systems are known and areused for a variety of purposes. In general, GPS is a satellite-radiobased navigation system capable of determining continuous position,velocity, time, and in some instances direction information for anunlimited number of users.

Formerly known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality ofsatellites which work with the earth in extremely precise orbits. Basedon these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to anynumber of receiving units.

The GPS system is implemented when a device, specially equipped toreceive GPS data, begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellitesignals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the devicedetermines the precise location of that satellite via one of a pluralityof different conventional methods. The device will continue scanning, inmost instances, for signals until it has acquired at least threedifferent satellite signals (noting that position is not normally, butcan be determined, with only two signals using other triangulationtechniques). Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizesthe three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional positionrelative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner.Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow thereceiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the samegeometrical calculation in a known manner. The position and velocitydata can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimitednumber of users.

As shown in FIG. 1, the GPS system is denoted generally by referencenumeral 100. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit about the earth124. The orbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronous withthe orbits of other satellites 120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous.A GPS receiver 140, usable in embodiments of navigation devices of thepresent application, is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellitesignals 160 from the various satellites 120.

The spread spectrum signals 160, continuously transmitted from eachsatellite 120, utilize a highly accurate frequency standard accomplishedwith an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each satellite 120, as part ofits data signal transmission 160, transmits a data stream indicative ofthat particular satellite 120. It is appreciated by those skilled in therelevant art that the GPS receiver device 140 generally acquires spreadspectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensionalposition by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal,resulting in signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, permitsthe GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional positionin a known manner.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic components ofa navigation device 200 of an embodiment of the present application, inblock component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of thenavigation device 200 is not inclusive of all components of thenavigation device, but is only representative of many examplecomponents.

The navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not shown). Thehousing includes a processor 210 connected to an input device 220 and adisplay screen 240. The input device 220 can include a keyboard device,voice input device, and/or any other known input device utilized toinput information; and the display screen 240 can include any type ofdisplay screen such as an LCD display, for example. In at least oneembodiment of the present application, the input device 220 and displayscreen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device,including a touchpad or touchscreen input wherein a user need only toucha portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a plurality ofdisplay choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual buttons.

In addition, other types of output devices 250 can also include,including but not limited to, an audible output device. As output device250 can produce audible information to a user of the navigation device200, it is equally understood that input device 240 can also include amicrophone and software for receiving input voice commands as well.

In the navigation device 200, processor 210 is operatively connected toand set to receive input information from input device 240 via aconnection 225, and operatively connected to at least one of displayscreen 240 and output device 250, via output connections 245, to outputinformation thereto. Further, the processor 210 is operatively connectedto memory 230 via connection 235 and is further adapted to receive/sendinformation from/to input/output (I/O) ports 270 via connection 275,wherein the I/O port 270 is connectible to an I/O device 280 external tothe navigation device 200. The external I/O device 270 may include, butis not limited to an external listening device such as an earpiece forexample. The connection to I/O device 280 can further be a wired orwireless connection to any other external device such as a car stereounit for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation forexample, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or forconnection to a mobile phone for example, wherein the mobile phoneconnection may be used to establish a TCP/IP connection between thenavigation device 200 and the internet or any other network for example,and/or to establish a connection to a server via the internet or someother network for example.

FIG. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between the processor210 and an antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255, wherein theantenna/receiver 250 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for example. It willbe understood that the antenna and receiver designated by referencenumeral 250 are combined schematically for illustration, but that theantenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that theantenna may be a GPS patch antenna or helical antenna for example.

Further, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art thatthe electronic components shown in FIG. 2 are powered by power sources(not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be understood by one ofordinary skill in the art, different configurations of the componentsshown in FIG. 2 are considered within the scope of the presentapplication. For example, in one embodiment, the components shown inFIG. 2 may be in communication with one another via wired and/orwireless connections and the like. Thus, the scope of the navigationdevice 200 of the present application includes a portable or handheldnavigation device 200.

In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of FIG. 2can be connected or “docked” in a known manner to a motorized vehiclesuch as a car or boat for example. Such a navigation device 200 is thenremovable from the docked location for portable or handheld navigationuse.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server 302 and anavigation device 200 of the present application, via a genericcommunications channel 318, of an embodiment of the present application.The server 302 and a navigation device 200 of the present applicationcan communicate when a connection via communications channel 318 isestablished between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 (notingthat such a connection can be a data connection via mobile device, adirect connection via personal computer via the internet, etc.).

The server 302 includes, in addition to other components which may notbe illustrated, a processor 304 operatively connected to a memory 306and further operatively connected, via a wired or wireless connection314, to a mass data storage device 312. The processor 304 is furtheroperatively connected to transmitter 308 and receiver 310, to transmitand send information to and from navigation device 200 viacommunications channel 318. The signals sent and received may includedata, communication, and/or other propagated signals. The transmitter308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed according to thecommunications requirement and communication technology used in thecommunication design for the navigation system 200. Further, it shouldbe noted that the functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may becombined into a signal transceiver.

Server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass storage device312, noting that the mass storage device 312 may be coupled to theserver 302 via communication link 314. The mass storage device 312contains a store of navigation data and map information, and can againbe a separate device from the server 302 or can be incorporated into theserver 302.

The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 302through communications channel 318, and includes processor, memory, etc.as previously described with regard to FIG. 2, as well as transmitter320 and receiver 322 to send and receive signals and/or data through thecommunications channel 318, noting that these devices can further beused to communicate with devices other than server 302. Further, thetransmitter 320 and receiver 322 are selected or designed according tocommunication requirements and communication technology used in thecommunication design for the navigation device 200 and the functions ofthe transmitter 320 and receiver 322 may be combined into a singletransceiver.

Software stored in server memory 306 provides instructions for theprocessor 304 and allows the server 302 to provide services to thenavigation device 200. One service provided by the server 302 involvesprocessing requests from the navigation device 200 and transmittingnavigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the navigation device200. According to at least one embodiment of the present application,another service provided by the server 302 includes processing thenavigation data using various algorithms for a desired application andsending the results of these calculations to the navigation device 200.

The communication channel 318 generically represents the propagatingmedium or path that connects the navigation device 200 and the server302. According to at least one embodiment of the present application,both the server 302 and navigation device 200 include a transmitter fortransmitting data through the communication channel and a receiver forreceiving data that has been transmitted through the communicationchannel.

The communication channel 318 is not limited to a particularcommunication technology. Additionally, the communication channel 318 isnot limited to a single communication technology; that is, the channel318 may include several communication links that use a variety oftechnology. For example, according to at least one embodiment, thecommunication channel 318 can be adapted to provide a path forelectrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communications, etc. Assuch, the communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to, oneor a combination of the following: electric circuits, electricalconductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables,converters, radio-frequency (rf) waves, the atmosphere, empty space,etc. Furthermore, according to at least one various embodiment, thecommunication channel 318 can include intermediate devices such asrouters, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers, for example.

In at least one embodiment of the present application, for example, thecommunication channel 318 includes telephone and computer networks.Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the communication channel 318may be capable of accommodating wireless communication such as radiofrequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication, etc.Additionally, according to at least one embodiment, the communicationchannel 318 can accommodate satellite communication.

The communication signals transmitted through the communication channel318 include, but are not limited to, signals as may be required ordesired for given communication technology. For example, the signals maybe adapted to be used in cellular communication technology such as TimeDivision Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access(FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM), etc. Both digital and analogue signals can betransmitted through the communication channel 318. According to at leastone embodiment, these signals may be modulated, encrypted and/orcompressed signals as may be desirable for the communication technology.

The mass data storage 312 includes sufficient memory for the desirednavigation applications. Examples of the mass data storage 312 mayinclude magnetic data storage media such as hard drives for example,optical storage media such as CD-Roms for example, charged data storagemedia such as flash memory for example, molecular memory, etc.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, theserver 302 includes a remote server accessible by the navigation device200 via a wireless channel. According to at least one other embodimentof the application, the server 302 may include a network server locatedon a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual privatenetwork (VPN), etc.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, theserver 302 may include a personal computer such as a desktop or laptopcomputer, and the communication channel 318 may be a cable connectedbetween the personal computer and the navigation device 200.Alternatively, a personal computer may be connected between thenavigation device 200 and the server 302 to establish an internetconnection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200.Alternatively, a mobile telephone or other handheld device may establisha wireless connection to the internet, for connecting the navigationdevice 200 to the server 302 via the internet.

The navigation device 200 may be provided with information from theserver 302 via information downloads which may be periodically updatedupon a user connecting navigation device 200 to the server 302 and/ormay be more dynamic upon a more constant or frequent connection beingmade between the server 302 and navigation device 200 via a wirelessmobile connection device and TCP/IP connection for example. For manydynamic calculations, the processor 304 in the server 302 may be used tohandle the bulk of the processing needs, however, processor 210 ofnavigation device 200 can also handle much processing and calculation,oftentimes independent of a connection to a server 302.

The mass storage device 312 connected to the server 302 can includevolumes more cartographic and route data than that which is able to bemaintained on the navigation device 200 itself, including maps, etc. Theserver 302 may process, for example, the majority of the devices of anavigation device 200 which travel along the route using a set ofprocessing algorithms. Further, the cartographic and route data storedin memory 312 can operate on signals (e.g. GPS signals), originallyreceived by the navigation device 200.

In an embodiment of the present application, a relatively easier methodfor providing information to a user of a navigation device 200 iscontemplated, by providing a method of activating information on anavigation device 200. In an embodiment of the present application, themethod includes prompting selection of information for receipt from aremote server 302, connected to the navigation device 200 via aninternet connection 318. The method further includes requesting, uponselected information requiring activation, input of further informationbefore activating the selected information. Finally, the method includesactivating the selected information on the navigation device 200 uponreceipt of the requested information to activate.

In an embodiment of the present application, a method is designed whichpermits an easy way to activate information such as maps for example, onthe navigation device 200. In at least one embodiment of the presentapplication, the method utilizes an internet connection which isachieved via data connection, for example.

For this connection, an open internet connection is initiallyestablished with the navigation device 200. This can be done, forexample, through a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS(General Packet Radio Service)-connection (GPRS connection is ahigh-speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecomoperators; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet), and/or by usinga personal computer that is connected to the internet. For GRPS phonesettings, the Bluetooth enabled device may be used to correctly workwith the ever changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers,etc., model/manufacturer specific settings may be stored on thenavigation device 200 for example.

The data stored for this information can be updated in a mannerdiscussed in any of the embodiments, previous and subsequent. If it isnot possible for the navigation device 200 to obtain an open internetconnection, the user can still use an activation code obtained from aninternet website, and then can enter this code into the navigationdevice 200 to activate received information.

Initially, as shown in FIG. 4, a user can choose a map, such as a mapfor a particular country for example, which the user of the navigationdevice 200 may want to obtain. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, a display 240of the navigation device 200 may prompt selection of information (viadisplay on an integrated input and display device integrating the inputdevice 220 and display device 240, for example) such as a map forexample, for receipt from a remote server 302, connected to thenavigation device 200 via an internet connection 318. As shown in FIG.4, a display of a plurality of selections is shown on the navigationdevice 200 may be in the form of a download menu. Thus, the “prompting”can include display of a plurality of selections on the navigationdevice 200 in the form of a download menu The download menu can include,but is not limited to selectable options to download at least one of amap, a point of interest, a voice, a map color, etc. Upon selecting adownload such as maps for example, and upon completing the steps of theaforementioned method, the map can be activated on the navigation device200.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, if the user selects “Benelux,” whereinthe user of the navigation device 200 desires a map of the country“Benelux” for example, if that selected information requires activationas shown in FIG. 5, the display 240 of the navigation device may requestinput of further information before activating the selected information.As shown in FIG. 5, the display indicates that the product or desiredmap requires activation, and then asks a user how a user of thenavigation device 200 would like to activate the selected information,namely the map of Benelux, for example.

As shown in FIG. 5, there are two methods by which activation can takeplace. There is manual activation which can be selected by button 500,and automatic activation which can be selected by button 510. Thesebuttons are virtual buttons and are merely part of an example embodimentof the present application. Thus, the requesting further information caninclude both manual and automatic selectable options.

With automatic activation, the selected information such as the Beneluxmap, selected on the navigation device 200, may be activated uponreceipt of the requested information to activate. If automaticactivation is selected or takes place, as shown in FIG. 6, the user maybe requested to provide a product code. Thus, the requested furtherinformation includes a product code wherein receipt of the product codeenables activation of the selected information on the navigation device200. The user of the navigation device 200 can be further prompted thatautomatic activation uses an internet connection, and thus the user canmerely choose to cancel automatic activation by selecting the cancelbutton 600, or can choose to activate the automatic activation byselecting the activated button 610.

If the user chooses “activate,” the user of the navigation device 200may be asked to enter the product code of the current map. This can bedone, for example, by providing the user with an input/display keyboardfor display on the navigation device (on an integrated input and displaydevice thereof, integrating input device 220 and display device 240 forexample) as shown in FIG. 7, wherein the product code may be entered.

Thereafter, the product code is sent to the server 302, together withthe device code which corresponds to/is read from navigation device 200itself. The product code and device code combination is then processedat the server 302 and thereafter, an activation code is sent back to thenavigation device 200. The activation code is then usable to activatethe content requested.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 8, if the correct product code of thecurrent map is determined to have been entered by the server 302, anindication of a successful activation may be displayed on an integratedinput and display device of the navigation device 200 as shown in FIG.8, for example. At this time, an indication may be displayed to indicatethat everything has gone well; that activation through the internetconnection 318 between the navigation device 200 and the remote server302 is successful; and that the requested map has been downloaded to theuser.

As indicated with regard to FIG. 5, in at least one embodiment of thepresent application, either a manual or automatic activation can beselected, by selecting a virtual button 500 for manual activation and avirtual button 510 for automatic activation. If the user of thenavigation device 200 chooses to activate the selected information in amanual mode, a message such as that shown in FIG. 9 can be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 9, a device code is displayed on an integrated inputand display device of the navigation device 200, requesting the user togo to a particular address to obtain an activation code for the device.Thus, an activation code is requested, wherein receipt of the activationcode enables activation of the selected information on the navigationdevice 200, and wherein the aspect of requesting input of furtherinformation includes display of the device code, usable to obtain therequested activation code. Thereafter, the user can obtain theaforementioned activation code from the displayed internet address forexample, and can use and input the activation code via keyboard entry ofthe integrated input and display device as shown in FIG. 10, forexample. It should be noted that the manual process occurs somewhatsimilar to the automatic process above, except that instead ofautomatically sending codes to the server 302, the user of thenavigation device 200 must enter them manually at a website, wherein anactivation code is created and shown to the user of the navigationdevice 200, who has to enter this code on the navigation device 200. Ifthe activation is successful, this can be indicated on the navigationdevice 200 in a manner previously described for example.

As shown in the aforementioned figures, a method of an embodiment of thepresent application includes requesting, upon selected informationrequiring activation, input of further information before activating theselected information. The requested information can include both manualand selectable options. Upon selecting the automatic option, therequesting can include requesting a product code, wherein receipt of theproduct code enables activation of the selected information on thenavigation device 200. Alternatively, the product code may be mentionedon a voucher. Upon selecting the manual option, the requesting caninclude requesting an activation code, wherein receipt of activationcode enables activation of the selected information on the navigationdevice 200; and/or display of a device code usable to obtain theactivation code, wherein receipt of the activation code enablesactivation of the selected information on the navigation device 200.

As previously described, the prompting of an embodiment of the methodcan include a display of a plurality of selections on the navigationdevice 200, in the form of the download menu. An example of such adownload menu is shown in FIG. 11 of the present application forexample. As shown in FIG. 11, the download menu can include, but is notlimited to, selectable options to download at least one of a map 1100, apoint of interest 1110, a voice 1120 and a map color 1130. Within themaps, for example, country maps, city maps, etc. can be downloaded.

FIG. 12 shows a display, prompting selection of one of a plurality ofcity maps. As indicated in FIG. 12, the city map to “Hilversum” states[FREE], next to the city name.

As shown in FIG. 13, if the “Hilversum” map is selected, a display onthe integrated input and display device of navigation device 200 forexample, indicates that there is no extra charge for downloading thismap and provides a plurality of selectable options to download or notdownload the free map. However, if the city map for “Liten” is desired,a request may be displayed, requesting payment, and asking if the useragrees to pay a certain charge for downloading the map. Thus user canthen cancel, or then agree to pay the aforementioned charge.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 13 to 14, the requested information can includeat least one of the payment request (as shown in FIG. 14 for example),wherein upon receipt of payment, the selected information is activated;and an indication that no payment is required (as shown for example inFIG. 13), wherein the indication that no payment is required furtherincludes a request to choose an option for free activation of theselected information. Further, the payment request may be displayed in afirst color and the indication that no payment is required may bedisplayed in a second color, different from the first color.

If the free map of FIG. 13 was successful, an indication can bedisplayed on the navigation device 200 indicating a successfulactivation as shown in FIG. 15 for example.

It should be noted that in at least one embodiment of the presentapplication, the prompting can include display of a plurality ofselections on the navigation device, in the form of a download menu suchas that shown in FIGS. 11 and 15 for example. The downloading of any ofthe information shown in the categories of FIGS. 11 and 15 can behandled in a manner similar to that previously described with regard tothe city map. Namely, there can be requested information including atleast one of a payment request and an indication that no payment isrequired, wherein upon receipt of payment, a selected one of a map, aPOI, a voice, color, etc. can be activated. Similarly, if no payment isrequired and the user chooses an option for free activation of theselected information, the selected information (a map, a POI, a voice,or map color, etc.), can be activated.

Thus, for any aspect of downloading information on the navigation device200, the navigation device 200 can display selectable options topurchase or not purchase activation of the selected information.Further, a request for further information to complete the purchase uponselection of the option to purchase can further be displayed. Inaddition, for any of the above embodiments described, it should be notedthat the payment request may be displayed in a first color, for example,and an indication that no payment is required may be displayed in asecond color, different from the first color.

In another embodiment of the present application, a navigation device200 is provided which includes an integrated input and display device,integrating the functions of input device 220 and display device 240 ofFIG. 2 for example. The integrated input and display device can prompt(via display to a user for example) selection of information for receiptfrom the remote server 302, connected to the navigation device 200 viaan internet connection 318. Further, the integrated input and displaydevice, which may include a touch panel screen for example, can request(via display to a user for example), upon selected information requiringactivation, input of further information before activating the selectedinformation. The navigation device 200 further includes a processor 210to activate the selected information on the navigation device 200, uponreceipt of the requested information to activate. Such a navigationdevice 200 can implement the various aspects of the method describedabove, as will be understood by one of ordinary skill.

The navigation device 200, in at least one embodiment, may establish a“mobile” network connection with the server 302 via a mobile device 400(such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device with mobile phonetechnology) establishing a digital connection (such as a digitalconnection via known Bluetooth technology for example). Thereafter,through its network service provider, the mobile device 400 canestablish a network connection (through the internet for example) with aserver 302. As such, a “mobile” network connection is establishedbetween the navigation device 200 (which can be, and often times ismobile as it travels alone and/or in a vehicle) and the server 302 toprovide a “real-time” or at least very “up to date” gateway forinformation.

The establishing of the network connection between the mobile device 400(via a service provider) and another device such as the server 302,using the internet 410 for example, can be done in a known manner. Thiscan include use of TCP/IP layered protocol for example. The mobiledevice 400 can utilize any number of communication standards such asCDMA, GSM, WAN, etc.

As such, an internet connection may be utilized which is achieved viadata connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone technology withinthe navigation device 200 for example. For this connection, an internetconnection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 isestablished. This can be done, for example, through a mobile phone orother mobile device and a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)-connection(GPRS connection is a high-speed data connection for mobile devicesprovided by telecom operators; GPRS is a method to connect to theinternet.

The navigation device 200 can further complete a data connection withthe mobile device 400, and eventually with the internet 410 and server302, via existing Bluetooth technology for example, in a known manner,wherein the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such asthe GSRM, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard, for example.

The navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone technologywithin the navigation device 200 itself (including an antenna forexample, wherein the internal antenna of the navigation device 200 canfurther alternatively be used). The mobile phone technology within thenavigation device 200 can include internal components as specifiedabove, and/or can include an insertable card, complete with necessarymobile phone technology and/or an antenna for example. As such, mobilephone technology within the navigation device 200 can similarlyestablish a network connection between the navigation device 200 and theserver 302, via the internet 410 for example, in a manner similar tothat of any mobile device 400.

For GRPS phone settings, the Bluetooth enabled device may be used tocorrectly work with the ever changing spectrum of mobile phone models,manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific settings may be storedon the navigation device 200 for example. The data stored for thisinformation can be updated in a manner discussed in any of theembodiments, previous and subsequent.

The methods of at least one embodiment expressed above may beimplemented as a computer data signal embodied in the carrier wave orpropagated signal that represents a sequence of instructions which, whenexecuted by a processor (such as processor 304 of server 302, and/orprocessor 210 of navigation device 200 for example) causes the processorto perform a respective method. In at least one other embodiment, atleast one method provided above may be implemented above as a set ofinstructions contained on a computer readable or computer accessiblemedium, such as one of the memory devices previously described, forexample, to perform the respective method when executed by a processoror other computer device. In varying embodiments, the medium may be amagnetic medium, electronic medium, optical medium, etc.

Even further, any of the aforementioned methods may be embodied in theform of a program. The program may be stored on a computer readablemedia and is adapted to perform any one of the aforementioned methodswhen run on a computer device (a device including a processor). Thus,the storage medium or computer readable medium, is adapted to storeinformation and is adapted to interact with a data processing facilityor computer device to perform the method of any of the above mentionedembodiments.

The storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside a computerdevice main body or a removable medium arranged so that it can beseparated from the computer device main body. Examples of the built-inmedium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable non-volatilememories, such as ROMs and flash memories, and hard disks. Examples ofthe removable medium include, but are not limited to, optical storagemedia such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical storage media, such asMOs; magnetism storage media, including but not limited to floppy disks(trademark), cassette tapes, and removable hard disks; media with abuilt-in rewriteable non-volatile memory, including but not limited tomemory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not limitedto ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information regarding storedimages, for example, property information, may be stored in any otherform, or it may be provided in other ways.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading thedisclosure, the electronic components of the navigation device 200and/or the components of the server 302 can be embodied as computerhardware circuitry or as a computer readable program, or as acombination of both.

The system and method of embodiments of the present application includesoftware operative on the processor to perform at least one of themethods according to the teachings of the present application. One ofordinary skill in the art will understand, upon reading andcomprehending this disclosure, the manner in which a software programcan be launched from a computer readable medium in a computer basedsystem to execute the functions found in the software program. One ofordinary skill in the art will further understand the variousprogramming languages which may be employed to create a software programdesigned to implement and perform at least one of the methods of thepresent application.

The programs can be structured in an object-orientation using anobject-oriented language including but not limited to JAVA, Smalltalk,C++, etc., and the programs can be structured in aprocedural-orientation using a procedural language including but notlimited to COBAL, C, etc. The software components can communicate in anynumber of ways that are well known to those of ordinary skill in theart, including but not limited to by application of program interfaces(API), interprocess communication techniques, including but not limitedto report procedure call (RPC), common object request brokerarchitecture (CORBA), Component Object Model (COM), DistributedComponent Object Model (DCOM), Distributed System Object Model (DSOM),and Remote Method Invocation (RMI). However, as will be appreciated byone of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present applicationdisclosure, the teachings of the present application are not limited toa particular programming language or environment.

The above systems, devices, and methods have been described by way ofexample and not by way of limitation with respect to improving accuracy,processor speed, and ease of user interaction, etc. with a navigationdevice 200.

Further, elements and/or features of different example embodiments maybe combined with each other and/or substituted for each other within thescope of this disclosure and appended claims.

Still further, any one of the above-described and other example featuresof the present invention may be embodied in the form of an apparatus,method, system, computer program and computer program product. Forexample, of the aforementioned methods may be embodied in the form of asystem or device, including, but not limited to, any of the structurefor performing the methodology illustrated in the drawings.

Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious that thesame may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regardedas a departure from the spirit and scope of the present invention, andall such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art areintended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

1. A method of activating information on a navigation device,comprising: prompting selection of information for receipt from a remoteserver, connected to the navigation device via an internet connection;requesting, upon selected information requiring activation, input offurther information before activating the selected information; andactivating the selected information on the navigation device uponreceipt of the requested information to activate.
 2. The method of claim1, further comprising indicating, on the navigation device, a successfulactivation.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the internet connection isachieved via a TCP/IP connection.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein therequested further information includes a product code, wherein receiptof the product code enables activation of the selected information onthe navigation device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the requestedfurther information includes an activation code, wherein receipt of theactivation code enables activation of the selected information on thenavigation device.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the requestingincludes display of a device code, usable to obtain the requestedactivation code.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the requested furtherinformation includes both manual and automatic selectable options. 8.The method of claim 7, wherein, upon selecting the automatic option, therequesting includes requesting a product code, wherein receipt of theproduct code enables activation of the selected information on thenavigation device.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein, upon selecting themanual option, the requesting includes display of a device code usableto obtain the requested activation code, wherein receipt of theactivation code enables activation of the selected information on thenavigation device.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein, upon selectingthe manual option, the requesting includes display of a device codeusable to obtain the requested activation code, wherein receipt of theactivation code enables activation of the selected information on thenavigation device.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the promptingincludes display of a plurality of selections on the navigation device,in the form of a download menu.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein thedownload menu includes selectable options to download at least one of amap, a point of interest, a voice and a map color.
 13. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the requested information includes at least one of apayment request, wherein upon receipt of payment the selectedinformation is activated, and an indication that no payment is required,the indication that no payment is required further including a requestto choose an option of a free activation of the selected information.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the payment request is displayed ina first color and an indication that no payment is required is displayedin a second color, different from the first color.
 15. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the prompting includes display of a plurality ofselections on the navigation device in the form of a download menu, thedownload menu including selectable options to download at least one of amap, a point of interest, a voice and a map color.
 16. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising displaying on the navigation device,selectable options to purchase or not purchase activation of theselected information.
 17. The method of claim 16, further comprisingdisplaying on the navigation device, a request for information tocomplete the purchase upon selection of the option to purchase.
 18. Acomputer readable medium including program segments for, when executedon a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device toimplement the method of claim
 1. 19. A navigation device, comprising:means for prompting selection of information for receipt from a remoteserver, connected to the navigation device via an internet connection;means for requesting, upon selected information requiring activation,input of further information before activating the selected information;and means for activating the selected information on the navigationdevice upon receipt of the requested information to activate.
 20. Thenavigation device of claim 19, further comprising means for indicating asuccessful activation.
 21. The navigation device of claim 19, whereinthe internet connection is achieved via a TCP/IP connection.
 22. Thenavigation device of claim 19, wherein the requested further informationincludes a product code, wherein receipt of the product code enablesactivation of the selected information on the navigation device.
 23. Thenavigation device of claim 19, wherein the requested further informationincludes an activation code, wherein receipt of the activation codeenables activation of the selected information on the navigation device.24. The navigation device of claim 23, wherein the requesting includesdisplay of a device code, usable to obtain the requested activationcode.
 25. The navigation device of claim 19, wherein the requestedfurther information includes both manual and automatic selectableoptions.
 26. The navigation device of claim 25, wherein, upon selectingthe automatic option, the means for requesting includes requesting aproduct code, wherein receipt of the product code enables activation ofthe selected information on the navigation device.
 27. The navigationdevice of claim 25, wherein, upon selecting the manual option, the meansfor requesting includes display of a device code usable to obtain therequested activation code, wherein receipt of the activation codeenables activation of the selected information on the navigation device.28. The navigation device of claim 26, wherein, upon selecting themanual option, the means for requesting includes display of a devicecode usable to obtain the requested activation code, wherein receipt ofthe activation code enables activation of the selected information onthe navigation device.
 29. The navigation device of claim 19, whereinthe means for prompting includes displaying a plurality of selections onthe navigation device, in the form of a download menu.
 30. Thenavigation device of claim 29, wherein the download menu includesselectable options to download at least one of a map, a point ofinterest, a voice and a map color.
 31. The navigation device of claim19, wherein the requested information includes at least one of a paymentrequest, wherein upon receipt of payment the selected information isactivated, and an indication that no payment is required, the indicationthat no payment is required further including a request to choose anoption of a free activation of the selected information.
 32. The methodof claim 31, wherein the payment request is displayed in a first colorand an indication that no payment is required is displayed in a secondcolor, different from the first color.
 33. The method of claim 31,wherein the means for prompting includes display of a plurality ofselections on the navigation device in the form of a download menu, thedownload menu including selectable options to download at least one of amap, a point of interest, a voice and a map color.
 34. The method ofclaim 33, further comprising means for displaying selectable options topurchase or not purchase activation of the selected information.
 35. Themethod of claim 34, further comprising means for displaying a requestfor information to complete the purchase upon selection of the option topurchase.
 36. A navigation device, comprising: an integrated input anddisplay device to prompt selection of information for receipt from aremote server, connected to the navigation device via an internetconnection, and to request, upon selected information requiringactivation, input of further information before activating the selectedinformation; and a processor to activate the selected information on thenavigation device, upon receipt of the requested information toactivate.
 37. The navigation device of claim 36, wherein the integratedinput and display device is further used to indicate a successfulactivation.
 38. The navigation device of claim 36, wherein the internetconnection is achieved via a TCP/IP connection.
 39. The navigationdevice of claim 36, wherein the requested further information includes aproduct code, wherein receipt of the product code enables activation ofthe selected information on the navigation device.
 40. The navigationdevice of claim 36, wherein the requested further information includesan activation code, wherein receipt of the activation code enablesactivation of the selected information on the navigation device.
 41. Thenavigation device of claim 40, wherein the integrated input and displaydevice is used to display a device code, usable to obtain the requestedactivation code.
 42. The navigation device of claim 36, wherein therequested further information includes both manual and automaticselectable options.
 43. The navigation device of claim 42, wherein, uponselecting the automatic option, the integrated input and display deviceis used to request a product code, wherein receipt of the product codeenables activation of the selected information on the navigation device.44. The navigation device of claim 42, wherein, upon selecting themanual option, the integrated input and display device is used todisplay a device code usable to obtain the requested activation code,wherein receipt of the activation code enables activation of theselected information on the navigation device.
 45. The navigation deviceof claim 43, wherein, upon selecting the manual option, the integratedinput and display device is used to display a device code usable toobtain the requested activation code, wherein receipt of the activationcode enables activation of the selected information on the navigationdevice.
 46. The navigation device of claim 36, wherein the integratedinput and display device is used to request displaying a plurality ofselections on the navigation device, in the form of a download menu. 47.The navigation device of claim 46, wherein the download menu includesselectable options to download at least one of a map, a point ofinterest, a voice and a map color.
 48. The navigation device of claim36, wherein the requested information includes at least one of a paymentrequest, wherein upon receipt of payment the selected information isactivated, and an indication that no payment is required, the indicationthat no payment is required further including a request to choose anoption of a free activation of the selected information.
 49. Thenavigation device of claim 48, wherein the payment request is displayedon the integrated input and display device in a first color and anindication that no payment is required is displayed in a second color,different from the first color.
 50. The navigation device of claim 48,wherein the integrated input and display device is used to display of aplurality of selections on the navigation device in the form of adownload menu, the download menu including selectable options todownload at least one of a map, a point of interest, a voice and a mapcolor.
 51. The navigation device of claim 50, wherein the integratedinput and display device is used to display selectable options topurchase or not purchase activation of the selected information.
 52. Thenavigation device of claim 51, wherein the integrated input and displaydevice is used to display a request for information to complete thepurchase upon selection of the option to purchase.